Members of the T.C. Williams Army JROTC drill team and color guard will march in the Inaugural Parade January 20, 2009, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Monday.

Of the more than 150 cadets that participate in JROTC, 52 will march in the parade that follows President-elect Barack Obamas swearing in. Four members of the color guard unit will also march.

They are very elated and happy to have this seldom opportunity, said retired Col. Reginald B. Geary who is in charge of the high schools program. Its a lifetime experience from what some of them are talking about, so theyre just happy and elated to be a part of it.

The routine for the march will include a basic military march throughout the parade according to Geary.

I am honored to invite these talented groups and individuals to participate in the Inaugural Parade, Obama said in a statement.

The high schools drill team and color guard make up a nationally recognized and award-winning unit that has performed in numerous parades, football and basketball games and several local and state civic events. The unit received first place at the Courtland High School Annual Drill Meet on Oct. 18 in Spotsylvania. It also earned third place at the National High School Drill Team Championship in Dayton Beach, Fla., over the summer.

Students in the unit practice for two hours after school, three days a week, contributing to their precision and selection out of 1,382 applications to march in the Inaugural parade.